Stochastic Modelling and Equatorial Coverage Analysis of Large Inclined Leo Constellations

Abstract

This paper examines the coverage characteristics of large inclined low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations, focusing on equatorial regions. The study uses stochastic geometry to model satellites and users as uniformly distributed along their respective orbits and latitude ranges. The central angle and distance distributions between users and nth nearest satellite are derived to estimate line-of-sight (LoS) and coverage probability. Analytical models are validated with Monte Carlo simulations to provide practical insights for optimizing satellite deployments for equatorial regions. Results highlight the impact of satellite altitude and constellation density, revealing how lower inclination angles enhance satellite density over equatorial regions, thus improving coverage performance.